Journal of occupational and environmental medicine最新文献

Abstract: The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's (ACOEM) foundation guideline on General Approach to Initial Assessment and Documentation is intended to address the initial approach to assessment of some of the most common occupational medicine clinical problems. This approach includes a medical and occupational history, identification of body part(s) involved, effect of present illness or injury on patient's functionality, screening for disability risk factors that may affect the outcome, a detailed work history including type and duration of exposure. It is also important to maintain good recordkeeping and privacy of records when assessing patients for a work-related injury or illness. The reader is referred to ACOEM's other disorder-specific guidelines for more-specific guidance.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate respiratory and allergic health symptoms and sensitization to cannabis in cannabis workers while controlling for recreational cannabis use.

Methods: We compared allergic and respiratory symptoms, lung function, and airway inflammation among cannabis workers ( n = 42) and recreational cannabis users ( n = 20) and nonusers ( n = 20) with no occupational exposure.

Results: In multivariable regressions adjusted for recreational cannabis use, cannabis workers trended toward increased airway inflammation and decreased pulmonary function when compared to nonworkers. Compared to nonworkers, cannabis workers exhibited increased odds of cannabis sensitization on skin prick test (odds ratio, 9.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.38 to 193; P = 0.05) and reported a higher prevalence of allergic symptoms (odds ratio, 3.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.91, 16.9; P = 0.07).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that occupational exposures contribute to the respiratory and allergic effects seen in cannabis workers, regardless of recreational cannabis use.

Objective: The aim of the study was to establish an evidence-based respirator selection framework mitigating occupational pneumoconiosis risks caused by poor compliance due to discomfort.

Methods: This study assessed wearing comfort via two experiments on structural performance and physiological indicators. Participants wore different respirators and performed tasks (sitting/low-intensity vs simulated occupational task/medium-intensity) while parameters were measured. XGBoost-SHAP analysis method was used to identify key comfort determinants.

Results: The wearing comfort was co-regulated by multiple factors in low-intensity task, with expiratory resistance most critically influenced heart rate, and inspiratory resistance-dominated facial temperature. Expiratory resistance became the decisive burden predictor in medium-intensity task. The valved models (9501V+/9502V+) minimized physiological strain, with the earband type performing better.

Conclusions: This SHAP-based ergonomic tool enables protocolized respirator deployment by activity intensity, reducing work-related respiratory disease risks through clinically actionable safety guidelines.

Objective: Investigate differences in device-measured physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep between shift and nonshift workers, focusing on variations during work and leisure periods.

Methods: Full-time employed adult participants from Newcastle, Australia, wore thigh and wrist accelerometers for 14 days to assess activity and sleep. Activity was classified into sedentary, standing, light-intensity physical activity, and moderate to vigorous physical activity. Linear mixed models and compositional data analysis were used to assess behavioral time allocation.

Results: Forty-nine participants (shift = 33, nonshift = 16) completed the study. During work periods, shift workers were less sedentary (-79.40 minutes, P = 0.031) and engaged more in light-intensity physical activity (+39.95 minutes, P = 0.044), but were more sedentary during leisure (+93.59 minutes, P = 0.019).

Conclusions: Distinct differences during work and leisure highlight the need for domain-specific analysis.

Objective: The purpose of the structured abstract is to assess the health policies, workplace modifications, and pandemic readiness of Hungarian defense companies prior to, during, and following COVID-19.

Methods: Organizational reactions to COVID-19 were gathered through a cross-sectional survey of 564 workers. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation were among the analyses.

Results: During COVID-19, health behaviors greatly improved; however, after the epidemic, they decreased. Measures of reaction and readiness soared before the epidemic and subsequently gradually decreased. Workplace adjustments stayed largely the same.

Conclusions: Although the COVID-19 pandemic led to short-term gains in workplace health procedures, long-term readiness and response systems deteriorated after the outbreak. For military sector workplaces to remain resilient over the long term, institutional commitment and ongoing assessment are essential.

Objective: This study aimed to identify key performance indicators (KPIs) in workplace health promotion (WHP) and their associations with initiative performance, history, and industrial background.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study analyzing descriptions of KPIs from 2679 Japanese companies participating in government-led WHP initiatives. Text-mining techniques were used to categorize the KPIs and examine their association with company rankings, submission history, and industry.

Results: Eleven KPIs were identified, including health status, productivity improvement, and recruitment. Productivity improvements and losses were frequently referenced by top-ranked companies, whereas lower-ranked companies and new participants prioritized recruitment and retention, which were commonly discussed in the retail, healthcare, and welfare industries. Mental health was more prevalent in the information, technology, communication, and electrical equipment sectors.

Conclusions: The findings support effective KPI setting in WHP and provide insights to inform dissemination of government-led initiatives.